Latest news with #DVLA
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Millions of drivers warned to 'avoid' using E10 petrol in your car
A warning has been issued for motorists and drivers to "avoid" using E10 petrol in cars. Motorists and road users have been told to be careful when it comes to using the popular unleaded fuel at pumps. TikTok user @olimoran11 said: 'This is why you should avoid using E10 petrol in your car. Now obviously at the minute we can either get E5 petrol which is like your Supreme 99 or your E10 which is like 95 Octane. 'This was basically brought in to replace this and help with emissions but it does come with consequences. E10 fuel is 10% ethanol, E5 is 5% ethanol. Basically, your engine does not like higher ethanol levels. READ MORE: Drivers on three prescription medications issued warning over DVLA rule READ MORE: DVLA issues warning for drivers who have 'a personalised registration' READ MORE Iconic homeware chain set to close UK branch with shoppers left devastated 'Higher ethanol levels basically lead to pinking and this leads to some serious damage to your engine. Basically higher temperatures in your cylinder will cause premature combustion which your engine does not want. 'This is the cylinder, here's your piston and you can see the rod through the piston. You should not be able to see through your piston.' Oli added: 'A lot of cars nowadays have on their fuel filler flap what kind of fuel is good for them. But if you have anything before 2010, then I just wouldn't recommend using E10 at all. "Spend that little bit extra and get the E5 or the supreme fuels. Trust me later down the line your car's going to appreciate it and so will your bank.' You can check online if your car, van, motorcycle or moped can use E10 petrol. You'll need to know the vehicle manufacturer to use the service. You may also need the vehicle model, engine size and year it was manufactured. Most petrol vehicles will be able to use E10. If you're not sure of any of this information, check the log book (V5C) for your vehicle.
Scotsman
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Driving license: renewal fine claims for over 70s debunked
Rumours of new driving rules for seniors are confusing - here's what the DVLA actually says 🚗 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Confusing online reports falsely claim all over-70s must undergo medical checks to renew licences No new laws or DVLA policies require universal GP sign-off or cognitive tests for older drivers Current renewal process remains unchanged: free, every three years, with self-declaration of fitness Only drivers with certain medical conditions may be asked to provide further medical evidence The widely cited £1,000 fine relates to driving without a valid licence - not failing a medical test If you believe some corners of the internet, UK drivers aged 70 and over are being urged to stay alert to the rules around renewing their driving licences. But despite what some recent headlines might suggest, there has not been a sweeping change to the renewal process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Recent sensational headlines from a number of websites and blogs, many of them unverified or thinly sourced, have claimed that from July or August 2025, all drivers aged 70 and above will need to provide medical evidence when renewing their licence. The changes, they say, would include needing to obtain a GP-signed certificate; as opposed to the current system of self‑declaration of fitness. Some even suggest that vision and memory tests will be made mandatory as part of a wider shake-up. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels These articles often imply that these changes have already come into force, or are imminent, and warn that drivers could be banned or fined up to £1,000 if they fail to comply. But a closer look at the official guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and shows these claims are misleading at best – and in some cases, entirely false. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the current renewal rules? The current rules for renewing a driving licence after the age of 70 are long-standing and straightforward: drivers must renew their licence every three years from the age of 70 onwards. The renewal can be done online through the official website, or by post using a D46P form, which is usually sent by the DVLA around 90 days before the driver's current licence expires. There is no charge for this renewal process. As part of the application, drivers must complete a self-declaration confirming that they are fit to drive. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This includes confirming that their eyesight meets the minimum legal standard and that they do not suffer from any medical conditions that would impair their ability to drive safely. If a driver does declare a relevant condition – or if they already have one noted on their record – the DVLA may request further medical information, such as a GP's assessment or a vision report. This is not new, and certainly does not apply to all drivers aged 70 or over. Is anything changing? There is currently no blanket requirement for drivers in this age group to undergo medical tests as part of their renewal, and no legislation or policy announcement suggests that such a measure is being introduced in July or August 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The speculation appears to have stemmed from online articles that misrepresent either individual cases or discussions around possible future reforms, often without citing any official source. If any such changes were to be introduced, they would be subject to a public consultation process and widely publicised via trusted sources, including the website and major news outlets. While it is true that some people may be required to submit a medical report completed by a GP or specialist, this is case‑specific, not a universal measure, and only applies if you report a notifiable medical condition (e.g., dementia, vision impairment). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Do I need to worry about fines? The '£1,000 fine' that is frequently referenced in these alarmist articles refers not to failure to complete a medical review, but to the broader offence of driving without a valid licence. If a driver over 70 continues to drive without renewing their licence when required, they could be fined up to £1,000 and may be uninsured in the event of an accident. This has always been the case and is not connected to any supposed changes in the medical review process. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Driving license: renewal fine claims for over 70s debunked
Rumours of new driving rules for seniors are confusing - here's what the DVLA actually says 🚗 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Confusing online reports falsely claim all over-70s must undergo medical checks to renew licences No new laws or DVLA policies require universal GP sign-off or cognitive tests for older drivers Current renewal process remains unchanged: free, every three years, with self-declaration of fitness Only drivers with certain medical conditions may be asked to provide further medical evidence The widely cited £1,000 fine relates to driving without a valid licence - not failing a medical test If you believe some corners of the internet, UK drivers aged 70 and over are being urged to stay alert to the rules around renewing their driving licences. But despite what some recent headlines might suggest, there has not been a sweeping change to the renewal process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Recent sensational headlines from a number of websites and blogs, many of them unverified or thinly sourced, have claimed that from July or August 2025, all drivers aged 70 and above will need to provide medical evidence when renewing their licence. The changes, they say, would include needing to obtain a GP-signed certificate; as opposed to the current system of self‑declaration of fitness. Some even suggest that vision and memory tests will be made mandatory as part of a wider shake-up. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels These articles often imply that these changes have already come into force, or are imminent, and warn that drivers could be banned or fined up to £1,000 if they fail to comply. But a closer look at the official guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and shows these claims are misleading at best – and in some cases, entirely false. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the current renewal rules? The current rules for renewing a driving licence after the age of 70 are long-standing and straightforward: drivers must renew their licence every three years from the age of 70 onwards. The renewal can be done online through the official website, or by post using a D46P form, which is usually sent by the DVLA around 90 days before the driver's current licence expires. There is no charge for this renewal process. As part of the application, drivers must complete a self-declaration confirming that they are fit to drive. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This includes confirming that their eyesight meets the minimum legal standard and that they do not suffer from any medical conditions that would impair their ability to drive safely. If a driver does declare a relevant condition – or if they already have one noted on their record – the DVLA may request further medical information, such as a GP's assessment or a vision report. This is not new, and certainly does not apply to all drivers aged 70 or over. Is anything changing? There is currently no blanket requirement for drivers in this age group to undergo medical tests as part of their renewal, and no legislation or policy announcement suggests that such a measure is being introduced in July or August 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The speculation appears to have stemmed from online articles that misrepresent either individual cases or discussions around possible future reforms, often without citing any official source. If any such changes were to be introduced, they would be subject to a public consultation process and widely publicised via trusted sources, including the website and major news outlets. While it is true that some people may be required to submit a medical report completed by a GP or specialist, this is case‑specific, not a universal measure, and only applies if you report a notifiable medical condition (e.g., dementia, vision impairment). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Do I need to worry about fines? The '£1,000 fine' that is frequently referenced in these alarmist articles refers not to failure to complete a medical review, but to the broader offence of driving without a valid licence. If a driver over 70 continues to drive without renewing their licence when required, they could be fined up to £1,000 and may be uninsured in the event of an accident. This has always been the case and is not connected to any supposed changes in the medical review process.
Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Times
Are old-style paper driving licences still valid?
Despite the fact that old-style driving licences were replaced by plastic cards more than 25 years ago (that made us feel old too), some people are still unsure whether their paper version is legal. That's because the rules are different depending on your age, when your licence was issued, whether you've moved house and other reasons. To clear up your confusion, carry on reading. • Read more expert reviews, news and insights on cars and motoring In 2015 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) scrapped the paper counterpart for anyone in Great Britain (not Northern Ireland — see below) who had been issued with a driving licence after 1998. If you've been issued with a paper licence at any point since then, you should also have a photocard, and you can discard your paper counterpart without worry. All data that would have been recorded on the paper section — your penalty points — is now held online. However, if you were issued with a paper licence before April 2000, it is valid provided that all the information on it is still correct. Moving house or changing your name without updating your licence will make it invalid. You could be fined £1,000 if the police catch you using an invalid licence. Most British women change their name after marriage, about 90 per cent according to a 2016 study cited by the BBC. Driving licences must be updated with the new name to remain valid. However, the DVLA confirmed to Driving that should a driver choose to keep their maiden name on official documents after marriage, they will not need to inform them about the marriage as the existing licence remains valid. In 1998 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) replaced the old-style paper licence with a plastic photocard and paper counterpart, the latter of which was used for tallying up the licence points you had. However, in 2015 the paper counterpart was replaced by an online service and paper counterparts were no longer issued, partially due to the number of people who kept losing them. About 445,000 people misplaced theirs in 2014 and had to pay £20 each time to replace it, at a total cost of nearly £9m. Some paper licences are still valid as of the date of publication, but not all of them. If your paper licence was issued before March 31, 2000, and all of the information on your paper licence is still correct as outlined above, then it will usually remain valid until you turn 70. On the day before your birthday you will need to renew your licence, and you will be issued a photocard free of charge. It is also free if you still have your paper licence but you need to change the address or name. All driving licences must be plastic by 2033. If you need to replace your licence before then because it has been defaced, lost or stolen, then you can do so through a service on the government website. This costs £20, and delivery times are in the region of three to four weeks. Provided you're medically and legally cleared to drive, and your application isn't more than a year old, you're allowed to drive while you are swapping your paper licence for a photocard. As of June 2015 paper licences have not had details of endorsements (penalty points) written or printed on them. Instead the details of any offences and endorsements are held electronically, and to view those details, as well as things like what classes of vehicle you're legally allowed to drive or evidence of the validity of your licence to provide to car hire companies, drivers can check through the DVLA portal. That only applies if your licence was issued in England, Scotland or Wales, though. The changes made to the licencing system in Britain in 2015 did not take effect in Northern Ireland and a licence there is still made up of a photocard and a paper counterpart, the latter of which remains an important part of the licence and must be kept safe. As is the case in Great Britain, single-part paper licences issued before the switchover to the use of photo cards may still be valid. While details of any endorsements are also recorded electronically and can be viewed through the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) portal, those endorsements are also recorded on drivers' paper counterpart.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Analysis: EV drivers cover higher annual mileage than petrol owners
More than one in 20 car miles driven in the UK is by an electric vehicle and only owners of diesel models cover higher average annual mileage than those with EVs, according to new analysis. Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation has found that battery powered vehicles were responsible for 5.3 per cent of all recorded car mileage last year. That is despite EVs making up just 3.8 per cent of the national car parc. Last year, pure battery electric cars under three years old were driven an average of 10,054 miles, the study found. This is far more than petrol models (7,585 miles) and only marginally short of the average for diesel cars, which last year was 10,728 miles. The last year petrol cars were recorded to have higher average annual mileage than EVs was back in 2015 when battery vehicles were very much in their infancy. The RAC says EVs are now so developed and capable that they are becoming a serious option for long-distance business drivers and 'starting to take over where the diesel left off'. The calculations are based on an analysis of more than 1.2 million MOT tests, with record held by the DVLA. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'Until recently, new car buyers, often fleets and businesses, have looked to diesels when they've needed something capable of racking up the big miles whilst still offering reasonable fuel economy. 'Now it seems that fully electric cars are starting to take over where the diesel left off, providing a practical alternative in terms of range and cost per mile, and because of the attractive tax breaks they come with.' The high-mileage capability of EVs has been improved by a rapidly growing charging network, especially the increase in availability of ultra-rapid charging hubs on the motorway network. Devices located at dedicated charging sites at motorway services can boost the batteries in the latest EVs from 10 to 80 per cent charge in under half an hour. 'The world where many saw the electric vehicle as being a second-car option, handy only for short trips, is changing rapidly to one where the battery-electric car is being bought to be a workhorse,' Gooding said. Earlier this week, the Government announced that drivers buying a new electric car will be eligible for grants of up to £3,750 . Only EVs with a retail price below £37,000 - and that are sustainably produced - are eligible for subsidies, with funding for the Electric Car Grant in place until 2028-29. However, the qualify for the scheme, manufacturers must first prove that their EVs are sustainably produced - both the cars themselves and their batteries. This will determine the size of the discount provided from taxpayer funding, which ranges from just £1,500 up to the full quota of £3,750 for the greenest-made electric models. However, manufacturers who fail to meet the sustainability criteria will be refused grants towards the sale price of their cars entirely. While car makers have widely welcomed the announcement and the potential increase in public demand for new EVs the scheme will trigger, industry insiders have dubbed it a drain on public finances. Commenting in an exclusive report by This is Money , experts warned the grant will compound existing 'rampant depreciation' for EVs, which has crashed the second-hand market in recent years.
